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Published by the Italic Institute of America,Council of Governors April 2002

Foundersof th e ItalicStudies Institut e, 1987 Stefano Cristina John Mancini Carl Pescosolido

Dear Member:

For those of you who have followedthe Institute's homage to Italian greatness over the years, I offeryou a perfect example of our leading-edge philosophy. You may recall that we spotted Marine General Anthony Zinni back in 1997 when he was involved in the Somalia evacuation. The Institute honored him in 1998 along with the Italian Chief of StaffAdmiral Venturoni at one of our galas. General Zinni is now up to his elbows in the Middle East as President Bush's personal envoy. For the record, Zinni didn't sell one table at the gala. He didn't bring in one U.S. Envoy AnthonyZinni (r.) withYasser Arafat journalad. We did not honor him for his ability to sell tickets for us. We honored him because he represented all that is excellent about our heritage. This is what separates us fromthe other organizations. Ironically, Zinni's ancestors hailed fromAbruzzo, the same Italian region that Pontius Pilate called home. Not much in the Middle East has changed in 2,000 years. On the lighter side, we have begun the new year with some new initiatives. You '11 findone of them enclosed. The Last Sucker is a cartoon satire aimed at Hollywood. Offeredup to the various media by snail mail and e-mail, The Last Sucker carries on the ancient Italian tradition of ribbing our adversaries by way of art. You can visit our website to view a full-colorversion, as well as the officialpress release that accompanies it. One picture may be worth I 0,000 protest letters. Our Aurora Italian Language and Culture Program for200 1-2002 came to a gratifying conclusion. As you recall, we went into the program right afterthe 9/11 tragedy with a major cut in City grants. I am happy to announce that due to the extraordinary effortsof our Aurora Director Tony DeNonno, City Council Budget Page2 Italic Institute of America

Director Frank Tramantano, and the generosity of our members, we squeezed through another year. Tony's persistence gained us a miraculous $20,000 grant fromHealth Plus, an HMOled by CFO Frank Mascara. This is what can happen when Italian Americans get in synch! Special donations also came in fromthe S. Antonio Abate Castrofilippi Society ($1,000) and the Italian Club of Staten Island ($750). We are proud to be the only, repeat, ONLY organization in the that has such an extensive after-school system for Italian heritage. Others give money away; we give education. Among our other initiatives, soon to be released, is a study on Italian American progress since the 1980's. It was prompted by a casual remark made by Bill Tonelli of the Village Voice. Tonelli is a firmbeliever that this is the best of all possible worlds (i.e., a cockeyed optimist). He has convinced himself that media stereotyping and defamation have not adversely affectedItalian American progress. Our study, the Gianelli-Cardillo Report, will examine this opinion. And we haven't forgotten TheItalic WayMagazine. It has been laid out and the articles are in progress. I'll refrainfrom promising a deadline, but late springseems reasonable. I wish to leave you with one thought. Last year, Robert Mondavi, the world­ renowned vintner, gave $35 million to a Californiauniversity fora wine laboratory and fine arts program. Last year, businessman Dennis Tito spent $20 million to ride into space. Ten years ago, an Italian American businessman spent $20 million to run for governor ofNew York (he lost). A fewyears back, shopping center magnate Edward DeBartolo, Sr., gave Notre Dame $30 million. Had these men and scores of other multi-millionaires had the pride of heritage and some faithin Italian American organiza­ tions, we would soon begin acting like the fifthlargest ethnic group in America. Is the problem with our millionaires or with us? We shall explore this question further. In the meantime, thank you forany and all donations. They are, unquestionably, a greater sacrificeon your part than a proportionate amount from the truly wealthy.

Warmest regards,

John L. Mancini !Page 3 Italic Institute of AmericaI

NATIONAL APPEAL We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their generosity. We regret ifwe have inadvertently omitted anyone.

Special Friends of the Institute Sustainers of the Institute Health Plus Prepaid Health Svcs. ($20,000) llQQ± Carl A Pescosolido, Sr. ($100,000) Borgetto Cultural Association($100) Charles A. Cerutti ($100) Guardiansof the ItalianHeritage - JosephA Crapotta($100) $1,000 + Long IslandSoc. of Ital. Amer. ($200) Viola Cirio($1,000) SaveryS. Manfredonia($100) JosephE. Fay($1,000) AnthonyMartignetti ($200) Thomas Lacorazza ($1,000) Charles Sclafani($ 100) S. Antonio Abate CastrofilippiSoc. ($1,000) RobertJ. Yannucci$100) RenataVosilla ($100) Builders of ItalicPride - AP. Zechella ($100) .$Sfill± Cellini Charitable Foundation ($500) Supportersof the Institute- Fratellanza ItalianiD' America ($500) SS!l± JohnL. Mancini($500) Alan C. Biondi($50) Giuseppe MazziniLodge #137, OSIA ($500) Vito& SusanBuccelleto ($50) MichaelF. Sica ($500) Frank & Grazia Cardone ($50) CharlesA Vesce,Jr. ($500) RosannaCavallo ($50) Dr. & Mrs. SantoChiarello ($50) Patrons of Italian Heritage CarmineDiLeo ($50) $250+ Charles Gabriele ($50) Maria Gloria ($350) JacquelineHines ($50) DominicMassaro ($250) AndrewMinerva ($50) The StauberFamily Foundation ($250) Melinda Sapone ($50) CesidioTallini ($250) Charles Sclafani($50) John& Rosemary Villanella ($250) Dr. & Mrs.Harry A. Winters($50)

YES, I want to demonstrate my support of the Institute' s mission.

Amount$___ _

Make your check payable toItalic Institute of America, P.O. Box 818, FloralPark, NY 11002

Name______

Address______

Your donation will be used to supportAurora Youth Scholarships, TheItalic Way Magazine, and Anti-DefamationActivities (Project Italia). IPage 4 Italic Institute of America

AURORA SURVIVES It is indicative of a strong organization if it can sustain itself through economic downturns. Without missing a beat, the Italic Institute foundthe means to carry on its mission of transmitting our cultural heritage to another 400 youngsters. Under the leadership of the unstoppable Tony DeNonno, and with a lot of help fromour friendsand members, Aurora reached its goal of 16 classes. Aurora remains our strongest program: consistently excellent, unquestionably essential. Your investment will pay dividends years into the future. Also remember: fewItalian Americanorganizations are able to tap the public grant network as the Italic Institute does. Many organizations don't do anything worth the public's benefaction,and most would be discouraged by the time and paperwork. Interestingly, much of that public money is raised by taxeson hard- working Italian Americans. Isn't it good to knowthat you belong to the one organization that puts the money back where it came from?

The Aurora class at St. Lucy School, Bronx,NY !Page 5 Italic Institute of America

CHICAGO CELEBRATION As you may know, our media arm is called Project Italia. It is headed up by Don Fiore, an Institute Director living in Chicagoland. Don has had a passion for Italian aviation since his youth. It has taken him years, but America will soon reacquaint itself with Francesco De Pinedo, the golden boy of the RegiaAeronautica Jtaliana (Royal Italian Air Force) and the firstforeign pilot to flyto the United States. It was in 1927, the same year that Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic. On May 15th, a ceremony at Richard J. Daley Center will reintroduce America to its Italian past. Don fired the imagination of 's Consul General in , Enrico Granara, and local organizations to celebrate De Pinedo's 75th anniversary voyage. Don not only supplied the inspiration and the documentation but his traditional Neapolitan band will provide entertainment. Don Fiore is another example of the leadership of the Italic Institute of America, leaders that not only lead but educate. Our researchers know more about the Italian heritage than all the other organizations put together. With proper funding, the Institute could turnthe media upside down. Col. Francesco De Pinedo

15th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY June 27th will be the day to present our Silver Medallion to some great Americans. This year's honorees are: Joseph Persico (author ofFDR's Secret War) Donald Bellisario (television producer of First Mondayand JAG) Dr. Anthony Fauci (head of the U. S. InfectiousDisease Institute) Samuel Palmisano (CEO of IBM Corporation) The Sbarro Family (internationalrestaurateurs) Lawrence Auriana (Chairman of the Federated Kaufmann Fund) The event will again be held at the prestigious Columbus Club in and will featureour Aurora Color Guard. A luncheon will followthe ceremony. Contact our officefor tickets or to place an ad in our Awards Journal: 516.488.7400. Some honorees may not be present. !Page 6 Italic Institute of America

MEMORIAL DONATION The Institute gratefully acknowledges a generous donation fromMaria C. Poulos in memory of Louis Caterine and Louis Caterine, Jr.

NEW MEMBERS

We welcome the followingnew members to the Institute:

JosefinaAcosta Smithtown, NY Mr./Mrs. Eric Johnston Kings Park,NY Mr./Mrs.Joseph Adduci Kings Park, NY Mr./Mrs. James Lambert Smithtown, NY Mr./Mrs.Frank Albergo Kings Park, NY Maria LoPresti W. Hempstead, NY Richard Barvels Pacifica, CA Mr./Mrs.C. Marino Islip Terrace, NY Jerry& Norma Benicasa Walnut Creek, CA Mr./Mrs. Kenneth Mealey Kings Park, NY Neil Bisciello New Hyde Park, NY Frank Messina Deer Park, NY Chris Borsella Riverhead, NY Mr./Mrs.Pablo Oviedo Kings Park, NY Nancy Brinkley Little Rock, AR Mr./Mrs. AlbertPalmato Kings Park, NY Cindy Commins Northport, NY Andrew Pampuro Laguna Woods, CA Mr./Mrs. Vito D' Anna Kings Park, NY Joseph Policano E. Hampton, NY Mr./Mrs. Daniel Feeley Kings Park, NY Mr./Mrs. M. Ponticiello St. James, NY Mr./Mrs.John Galletta Palm Coast FL Patrick M. Rappa New Hyde Park, NY Karen Garcia Richmond, CA Gina M. Roberts Kings Park, NY Allison Gencarelli KingsPark, NY Patrick A. Rugiero Milan, MI Connie Gentile New Hyde Park, NY Laura Schoenberg New Hyde Park, NY Paul Gianguercio Woodside, NY Mr./Mrs. John Seaman Kings Park, NY Anthony Giannone Chicago, IL Mr./Mrs. Adelio Simoes Ft. Salonga, NY Marie A. Goldstein Kings Park, NY Vito A. Speziale Vero Beach, FL Eric A. Halls Elmont, NY Dean Tomasula Hoboken, NJ Theresa M. Holland Ft. Walton Beach. FL Vendo, Ltd. E. Northport, NY Rev. Johncy Itty W. Hempstead, NY Thomas Verderosa W. Hempstead, NY

WE NEED NEW MEMBERS!

You can do your part by reading the enclosed brochure and passing it on to a friendor familymember who is interested in preserving the realItalian heritage. Remember, the Italic Institute is the alternative to apathy and media fiction. j Page 7 Italic Institute of America!

FRANGAR NON FLECTAR NO

An Italian-English Weekly Newspaper With Positive News About Your Heritage

Support YOUR Italian-American Press Now. Subscribe now and receive a dozen specially-designed self-adhesive stickers.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATE OF $25 PER YEAR! (REGULARLY $30) ltalo-Americano News has been publishing since 1908. They must be doing something right. Subscribe now and find out what you have been missing -- news, recipes, book and movie reviews and much more.

It is important that we support our Italian-American Press, especially these days when our heritage is being threatened by those who seek to re-write history.

L'ltalo American is published weekly and contains articles about events in Italy, the United States and . There are both ENGLISH and ITALIAN News Sections.

$5 OF EACH SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE DONATED TO THE AURORA PROGRAM.

PUT A LITTLE ITALIAN IN MY LIFE EVERY WEEK! YES, I would like to subscribe to L'lta/o American for one year at the special introductory rate of $25 for 52 issues (sent anywhere in the USA).

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Mail this form with $25 check payable to L'ltalo Americana to:

ltalo American News 6000 California Street San Francisco, CA 94121 !Page 8 Italic Institute of America

April Almanac

April 8 - Jurist Pasquale Fiore is bornin 1837. His expertise and writings about internationallaw had a profound influence on the legal systems of all Latin countries in and the Americas.

April 9 - British engineerSebastian Ferranti is bornin 1864. He promoted and oversaw the development of England's AC power grid. - Enrico Tonti and Robert LaSalle reach the mouth of the in 1682. LaSalle was later murdered byhis French crew. Thereafter,Tonti spent25 years developing middle America, which eventually was sold to the United States as the Purchase.

April 11 - Italian military aviator Renato Donatisets the high altitude record of 47,352 feetin 1934.

April 13 - Italian-American inventor Antonio Meucci is bornin 1808. Living in Staten Island, NY, Meucci filesthe firstpapers for his teletrofono (telephone) fiveyears beforeAlexander Graham Bell.

April 14 - Topo Gigio, the Italian mouse, premieres on the Ed SullivanShow in 1964.

April 16 - Composer Henry Mancini is bornin 1924. His hits included ThePink Panther Theme, Moon River, and Day s of Wine and Roses. - Italian monk Giovanni Francesco Bernardonefounds the Franciscan Order in 1209.

April 17 - Giovanni da Verrazzano is the firstEuropean to enter New York Harborin 1524, eighty-five years beforeHenry Hudson.

April 21 - The city of is foundedin 753 B.C. She later becamethe creator of the nation-state of Italy.

April 15 - Inventor of wireless telegraphy, Guglielmo Marconi, is bornin Bologna in 1875.

April 26 - Italy signsthe Secret Treaty of in 1915 in which France and Britain promises Italy overseas colonies in returnfor its participation in the First World War. The Allies reneged on the pledge even afterItaly defeated Austria-Hungary and lost 600,000 servicemen.

April 27 - Heavyweight boxerRocky Marciano retires undefeated in 1956.

April 30 - Freedom fighterRomolo Gessi is bornin 1831. This soldier/explorerled numerous expeditionsfor the British in Africafreeing 30,000 slaves frombondage.

Italic Institute ofAmerica P.O. Box818 Floral Park, NY 11002